Brian received his first musical instruction from his mother, at the piano, before the age of ten, and began organ lessons with the late Eleanor Hotchkiss at the age of 11. At 12, Brian first played parts of church services, and began his first formal training in Thunder Bay under the late Lawrence Ritchey.

He went on to study organ and related subjects at Acadia University, notably with organist Eugen F. Gmeiner, known as a premier player of Bach's music. Brian became Assistant University Organist, a post he served for 3 years at Acadia. Since graduation, he has served as organist and choir director in United churches and Anglican churches in eastern Canada and Ontario, as well as an Episcopalian church in Tennessee. While in Nova Scotia, Brian was the recipient of two Canada Council grants, which were used to engage the Halifax Symphony for performances of Handel's Messiah, under his direction. Brian came to Trinity Church in September 2001.